Communication Interface Segmentation for ECU Latency
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication interfaces in electronic control units (ECUs) face challenges in maintaining effective communication between multiple Microcontroller units (MCUs) as the number of nodes increases, leading to increased latency and processor load.
Innovation Solution
A communication interface comprising a first and second interface module, each configured for point-to-point transmission and receipt of signalling, along with a hardware interface-to-interface connection and a routing module that reads data frames and forwards them based on identifier matching, allowing for reduced processor involvement in routing decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of MCUs in the system is increased, then the communication capacity and functionality of the ECU is improved, but the communication latency and processor load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface is segmented into multiple independent interface modules (first interface module, second interface module, etc.), each capable of handling communication with different MCUs. This segmentation allows parallel processing of communication tasks, reducing overall latency while supporting multiple MCUs simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
A routing module is introduced as an intermediary component between the interface modules and the processor. The routing module reads data frames and forwards them to appropriate interface modules or processors based on identifiers, reducing the processing burden on the main processor and enabling faster communication routing decisions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the number of MCUs in the system is increased, then the communication capacity and functionality of the ECU is improved, but the processor load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processor workload is segmented and distributed across multiple interface modules, each handling communication with specific MCUs. This distribution reduces the processing load on any single processor while maintaining the ability to communicate with multiple MCUs.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing module serves as an intermediary that handles data frame routing decisions independently of the main processor. By forwarding data frames to appropriate interface modules based on identifiers, the routing module reduces the processing burden on the main processor while maintaining effective communication with multiple MCUs.
3Device complexity
If traditional communication interfaces are used with multiple MCUs, then the system maintains simplicity, but communication efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication interface is divided into multiple simple interface modules that can be independently configured and managed. Each module handles communication with a specific MCU, maintaining simplicity in individual module design while achieving high overall communication efficiency through parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing module acts as an intermediary that simplifies the communication architecture by handling data frame routing automatically based on identifiers. This reduces the complexity of manual configuration and improves communication efficiency by enabling automatic data frame forwarding to the correct interface module or processor.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A communication interface (102) comprising a first (106) and second (108) interface module to provide for point-to-point transmission of signalling to a second (110) or third (118) node respectively and receipt of signalling from the second node (110) or third node (118) respectively via one or more first terminals (112, 120). The first (106) and second (108) interface modules comprising one or more second terminals (114, 122) to communicatively couple a first processor (116) and the first (106) or second (108) interface module. At least one interface-to-interface connection (124) to couple the first (106) interface module and the second (108) interface module. A routing module (126, 128) configured to read a data frame and, based on whether or not an identifier present in a routing field of the data frame matches one or more predetermined identifiers, provide for forwarding of the data frame to the first processor (116) or to the interface-to-interface connection (124) for retransmission by the other of the first (106) interface module and the second (108) interface module.